FALSE MESSIAHS AND FALSE PROPHETS ABOUND

²¹ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. ²² For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²³ So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time. Mark 13:21-23

Once again Jesus clearly illustrates the difference between Himself and the false messiahs that will abound in the last days. He drew attention to His character as the evidence of who He was. “I am gentle and humble in heart.” He is the true shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. The false shepherd is a hireling who is in it for what he can get out of it. When danger threatens, he is the first to get out, abandoning the sheep to the wolves.

False messiahs will come in droves, calling attention to their impressive credentials and mighty acts as proof of their identity. Jesus warned, “This is Satan’s most potent and dangerous weapon; deception coats lies with enough truth to appear authentic but enough lies to draw people away from the truth.” What does deception play on?

1. Leaders’ performance puts them on a pedestal so that anything they say or do is believed without being tested. They will often allow themselves to be hero-worshipped and accept glory without giving it back to God.
2. Although their preaching may sound like the truth, there is a subtle shift away from God‑centred to man‑centred so that there is a pandering to man’s old nature e.g. the prosperity/faith message that subtly manipulates God through His word or the desire to be reverenced for our “holy” lives and powerful ministry.

These people may not necessarily claim messiahship but they accept a following and use it for their own ends. They often offer outstanding benefits for coming to their meetings as though God were obliged to reciprocate because He is advertised as doing certain things, e.g., healing, solving financial problems, marriage problems, family problems, business problems, without reference to the conditions which He clearly states in His word.

Jesus said, “Don’t be fooled. This is part of the end‑time strategy for Satan to lure as many people as possible away from the truth. If you want to be secure, stick with me and my way.”